Reward increased for information leading to prison escapee

Keana Barnes (Source: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections)

ST. GABRIEL, LA (WAFB) -

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is increasing the reward for information leading to the capture of DOC offender Keana Barnes, who escaped from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) in St. Gabriel early on January 1, 2013.

Barnes, age 33, is 5'4" tall, weighs 140 pounds, and has dark brown eyes and very short brown hair. She has the letter "K" tattooed on her left hand, a dragon tattoo on her back and two panther tattoos on her chest. Barnes was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter.

The DOC reward for information in this case now stands at $2,500 (up from $1,000). In addition, CrimeStoppers of Greater New Orleans is offering its own (up to) $2,500 reward for information in the case. Barnes is from the New Orleans area and has family and acquaintances there. It is likely that she is getting assistance in evading capture. Tips on Barnes can be called into the LCIW Control Center at 225-319-2300 (all information received will be kept confidential). Anonymous tips can be called into CrimeStoppers GNO at 504-822-1111 or 877-903-STOP (7867).

"If you see something or hear something, say something," said DPS&C Secretary Jimmy Le Blanc. "There will be consequences for anybody found helping Barnes while she is on the run."

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